The Social Ministry Mission Team has been busy last month with a luncheon for our Missionaries, Dr Kristopher and Mrs Rebecca Hartwig. After lunch the Hartwigs made a presentation about their work setting up a Hospice program in Tanzania. It was great to meet them and hear about the work which we are supporting. The SMMT also had a project to make Hospice/Aides kits with the CHIPS group to be sent to Africa through Global ministries ( a Lutheran Organization ) for distribution to Hospice /Aides patients and their families. Thank you to all of the members and volunteers who participated in this project, which was partially funded by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thank you for the contributions to fund the travel expenses, and for this important work.

The SMMT also participated in a project for the Association for Retired Citizens, who operate Adult Day Care Centers. This was done to help the Fundraiser Dinner and Silent Auction held at the Dutchess Golf Club on May 13th.We worked with 6 families of volunteers who are Thrivent members as well as members of St. John's. In this way we were able to get Thrivent Funding for this worthy project. Another project for which we are looking for volunteers , is to get a crew together to help build a Habitat for Humanity House in Newburgh , on Saturday, June 17th from 8am to 1pm.We will be working with many other groups. Volunteers are also needed to help with coffee -break for the workers at 10am. Thrivent Financial matching gift forms are in the kiosks, and information booklets and sign-up sheets will be in the Narthex as well. Volunteers must be 16 or older. Whether you have carpentry skills or not, you can help with this Thrivent sponsored, Lutheran run project. Please call Jan Viola at 485-4756 for additional information.

We will be holding two more Bingo Days at Lutheran care Center in July. The first is July7,2006 at the LCC, 7-8pm. The second is July 14,2006 at Concord Village (assisted living apartments behind LCC), at 10am- 11am. The admission to both these events will be school supplies or backpacks (new or used in good condition) for the children of Grace Smith House for Abused families.

Volunteers are needed to help. It's fun! Please join us. Call Jan Viola to volunteer. This event will be co-sponsored by Parish Care MT and the Parish Nurse Action Group. Volunteers are needed to deliver the Meals to the Homeless Shelter on the first Thursday of each month. The volunteers just have to pick up the meal (other volunteers have cooked it), and deliver to the Shelter at Hillcrest House on the Hudson River Pysch. Center grounds, heat up and serve the meal if needed. The whole thing takes about 2 hours. Call Greg Johnson if you can help any month.

 PARISH NURSE ACTION GROUP

Linda Upright participated in the Confirmation Retreat as the Camp Nurse. We are participating in the Bingo days at LCC with the SMMT in July. We will continue our Blood Pressure screenings on the second Sunday of each month after the 8:15 service, and after the 9:30 service throughout the summer.

Don't forget the BLOOD DRIVE at St. John's on June 12, 2006 from 3pm to 8pm. Blood is always in short supply in the summer. Call Mary Emmett to schedule an appointment.

We plan to help the Vacation Bible School with Healthy snacks during the week of July 24-28, and have one of our nurses available as needed that week.

Anyone interested in a CPR class or renewal a New Guidelines for CPR/AED will be in place in Dutchess County after June 30. Contact Jan Viola if interested.

Medical Supplies and medicines (discontinued for a particular person) are still being collected and sent to the Muriel Gordon Foundation for distribution to people in Third World Countries.

Special equipment needed locally can be borrowed from the Reformed Church Loan Closet. See Maryanne Deik or one of the Parish Nurses for details. The Parish Care MT will be happy to pick up and deliver if needed.